Indians homer twice in 5-1 win over Minnesota.

The Indians beat Minnesota Saturday evening in Minnesota behind yet another strong outing by Paul Byrd.  Byrd, the topic of trade conversations prior to the MLB trade deadline, is now 3-0 in his last three starts.  Amazing what a new ball glove will do.  Well, maybe it was more than that.

Byrd pitched seven strong innings, allowing six hits and one run.  He picks up the victory.  The Indians registered five runs on seven hits, three of the hits by David Dellucci, in victory.  He also accounted for two RBI’s as did Shoppach.  Jhonny Peralta continued his RBI antics, picking up the fifth and final RBI.

The Twins started the scoring by jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the third.  Back-to-back-to-back bunts by Gomez, Span, and the sac-bunt by Punto put runners on second and third with one out.  Joe Mauer walked, loading them up.  Jason Morneau sacrificed flied to center, scoring Gomez.  Kubel flied out, ending the scoring threat.

In the top of the fourth, the Indians took the lead.  Dellucci doubled, and Peralta doubled one batter later, driving in Dellucci.  With two out, Kelly Shoppach, homered over the right field fence, giving Indians a 3-1 lead.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Indians would benefit from the long-ball again.  Cabrera doubled to right, and Dellucci homered, making it 5-1 Tribe.

Byrd mastered Twins hitters through seven, and Rafael Perez closed out the game with two innings of no-hit ball.

The rubber match of the series is Sunday afternoon.  Matt Ginter (1-2, 4.20 ERA) pitches against Francisco Lariano (0-3, 11.32 ERA).  Gametime is 2:10.

Minnesota stayed a half-game back in the AL Central since the division leading Chicago White Sox also lost.